#4 Request Teacher Letters of Recommendation

Teacher Letters of Recommendation

1. Review your college’s requirements -- How many? From whom?

2. Ask your teacher in person at least 4 weeks (not counting holidays) before your earliest deadline

3. Complete the “Brag Sheet” MaiaLearning

4. Enter the Recommendation Request in MaiaLearning  (do this  as soon as you confirm with the teacher)

   • Universities Tab → Recommendations Tab

   • Select

     1. Teacher’s Name

     2. Earliest Deadline

     3. Include a personal note to your teacher

     4. Optional:  add your brag sheet (now or update later)

     5. Save

  Outside Recommendations

Review if your colleges accept recommendations from adults outside the school

These are requested and submitted through the application (Common App or college-specific application)

Peer recommendations: a select number of colleges will ask for peer recommendations and will provide instructions

Remember to thank your teachers - A handwritten note of thanks goes a long way!

#5 School Counselor Letter of Recommendation (Secondary School Report)

Many colleges will require a Secondary School Report to be completed by your school counselor.  To ensure your counselor has the necessary information to complete this and meet your deadlines:

1. Ensure your colleges are in your Applying List with accurate deadlines

2. Complete and upload your Brag Sheet in MaiaLearning

3. Discuss with your counselor at your Senior Planning Meeting

😀

#6 Test Scores

ACT/SAT Scores, Test-Optional, Self-Report and Official

• Colleges accept ACT/SAT equally

• Many colleges are continuing test-optional policies (for admission, honors and scholarships)

• Review your colleges’ testing policy to determine if you need to send scores, or if they are test-optional (Some majors may require test submission)

• Discuss at your Senior Planning Meeting 

Self Report

Student reports scores in Common App or SRAR

Student must order ACT/SAT score reports to be sent from the testing agency to each college

Sends official scores to the college they choose to attend

Fee for each report and school

ACT

www.myact.org

SAT

www.collegeboard.org

Test-Optional Colleges List

www.fairtest.org

Helpful Reminders

CHECK YOUR EMAIL:  Regularly check your School Email as well as the email you use for applications (should be different from your school email) for updates and important information from your colleges.

ESSAYS:  Your essay is your chance to introduce yourself personally to the admissions committee. You are more than your classes, grades and test scores, even your activities. Your essay will make the connection between “you” as reflected on your transcript, and “you” the person you are: future college student. Make it honest, sincere and personal. The essay is also your writing sample. This is your chance to show a college why and how you are a “fit”, and you will work on these essays in your Senior English Class. 

RESUME:   It is a good idea to complete an activity resume listing your Work Experience, Leadership Roles, Sport and Activities Participation, Volunteer Activities and Community Service. It’s a great way to showcase your passions and to tell admission counselors not only what you contributed to each activity, but also to explain what you learned and how you grew from the activity. Keep it short: 1-2 sentences for each activity, but these sentences can set you apart.

RESOURCES:  Refer to your School Counseling Schoology course, MaiaLearning, and School Counseling Website for all updated senior information.

Check your SPAM/Junk Folders

Work equally hard on supplemental essays and short answer questions for Common App colleges

MaiaLearning has a great Resume Building Template you can use!